WIND ENERGY

WIND ENERGY: 100 MW UNTIL 2025

The wind Atlas of Angola has allowed the identification of enough potential for electricity generation near the Atlantic scarp, along a north-south axis associated with higher altitudes, and in the southwestern region of the country, where the wind at a height of 80 meters above the ground reaches average speeds of more than 6 meters per second.

Based on the Atlas and on field visits 12 new locations with favorable conditions for the installation of up to 3,9 GW of power were identified (map below). Several of these sites are close to the main network and sub-stations, which have enough capacity to absorb this energy without technical restrictions or significant investments. MINEA has an ongoing detailed mapping of the highest potential sites through measuring stations which have, in some cases,
confirmed the identified potential.

The levelized costs of wind generation may vary between $0,1 and $0,27/kWh, depending significantly on the confirmation of the potential of the resource and on the necessary network infrastructure to transport this energy. The latest data and studies indicate a greater benefit and viability in constructing several intermediate-size wind farms, in line with the transport capacity of existing or planned infrastructures.

The strategy for new renewable energy established a target of 100 MW for wind energy by 2025. It was decided to limit the Tombwa wind project to the outflow capacity of the planned infrastructures, having in addition selected two medium-size projects with favorable conditions in areas close to the main
network: one in Cuanza Norte and another near the city of Lubango. Ongoing wind measurements will allow to confirm which projects should be carried-out.